Tennis leg is a term for the tearing of the calf muscle in the lower leg. Tennis leg usually afflicts older athletes, with an age range from 35 to 50 years old. Tennis leg muscle injuries may occur as a result of sudden athletic movements. Reports of sudden, sharp, or burning pain in the leg are widespread. Typically, the athlete is unable to continue because of severe pain, and walking becomes almost impossible. When a muscle becomes strained, it is usually stretched past its allowable length and tears. If you strain your calf or develop tennis leg, we highly recommended visiting a chiropractor for further evaluation. A good chiropractor will use a “hands-on” mechanically based approach to improve and heal the injury without the use of drugs. Customized stretches and exercises will be addressed. Can I run on a calf strain? Running with a calf strain is not a recommended practice. Do not do any running or sports of any kind until the calf has regained full strength and range of motion. Consequences can be severe. What is the best treatment for a strained calf muscle? Most calf muscle strains are not severe and can be treated at home, however, when dealing with tennis leg seeing a chiropractor to help manage the symptoms and to heal faster will provide for the best treatment possible. Here are some things you can do at home. Make sure your injured leg rests for a day or two. Place a cold compress on the sore calf muscle for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, every 1 to 2 hours for the next three days. Then, alternate treatments using cold and heat. To use heat, use a warm water bottle or a heating pad. Wrap your lower leg with a bandage wrap Prop up your leg on a pillow for the next three days, whenever seated. If possible, try to keep your leg above the level of your heart. Once the swelling has been reduced, gradually return to exercising when you feel that the pain has subsided. Calf strain rehab Gradual and gentle stretching of the calf muscle is the best treatment for calf strains. However, excessive stretching can do additional damage and hinder the healing process. Tennis leg massage Tennis leg massage of the strained calf muscle may be helpful and decrease the pain and swelling of the injury. However, if the calf strain is severe, and it has been several days since the injury, direct massage of a torn calf muscle can be harmful to the healing process and may cause other muscular complications. It is strongly recommended that you follow your doctor’s advice if massage is something you should be doing to the injured area. How long does it take for tennis leg to heal? Severe calf strains can require between 4-6 weeks for a full recovery. However, it is essential to get the best care and treatment. For help and more information regarding Tennis Leg and Strained Calf Muscle Treatment, please contact Charschan Chiropractic and Sports Injury Consultants. We provide safe and effective treatment including stretching exercises and active rehabilitative care. To better serve you, we have two convenient locations: North Brunswick, NJ, and Scotch Plains, NJ.